Why nurses don't want to be identified in public?
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It's funny.
I remember hearing nurses tell stories about being in the public and not wanting anyone to know that they are a nurse. I always thought that was strange, because I've always been so... Read More

Jul 27, '13

Great story!
For those who won't eat at a diner in scrubs, do you not eat lunch at work?
What the original title?

Jul 27, '13

Realy GREAT writing!!! I enjoyed reading your story very much. Keep up the good work.

Jul 27, '13

What was the original title?

I always treat myself to breakfast or go grocery shopping after work. My name tag comes off but I figure my scrubs are fine. After all visitors leave the hospital and aren't hosed down or anything!!

The worst is when my mother tells people I'm a nurse. I've learned to use the phrase "you should ask your PCP."

Jul 27, '13

Whenever I see someone in scrubs out and about my thought is never to ask them medical questions, it is to THANK them. I’ll wheel by them and say “don’t know if you are nurse or not but if you are thanks for what you do”, that way it leaves it up to them if they want to answer or not. I have got some big hugs from that. One nurse told me “I just got off a rough shift and you made my day” Which made me happy. I like to make people around me happy and sending out good vibes.

However if they're going to change it, they should change it to something proper. "Why nurses don't want to be identified in public?" is not a question, it's a statement. It should end with a period. "Why do nurses not want to be identified in public?" would also be correct.

But what do I know? I'm just the OP.

Okay! Snarkiness over! Back to chipper .

I write articles for a nursing website. The editors are very good about not making major changes; usually, my articles appear exactly as written.

Sorry for the threadjack. Your first title made me wish my MacBook had an "aroma" option. I wanted to smell those waffles.

Jul 27, '13

It's a toss up for me. I love telling people I meet what I do as I'm proud I made it through four years of school for this! On the other hand it does always lead to questions of "what is this lump on me?" and so forth which can get old.

I don't mean to be a kill-joy here, but, I feel for that guy! As someone who moved often over the years, I know what it feels like to be lonely. Sometimes I would strike up conversation with strangers in line or where-ever. It was like throwing out a life line for human contact. That is probably what this man was doing. Just looking for a kind word, needed someone to acknowledge he wasn't invisible in his pain over his mother's cancer.

Whether or not we are nurses, we are human beings first. Having a job in the medical field doesn't excuse us from reaching out in kindness to someone in need.

Matthew 25: 31-46 "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me' 41".

I'm sure the OP would have been happy to talk to him had he approached her. I see nothing wrong with what she did.

However if they're going to change it, they should change it to something proper. "Why nurses don't want to be identified in public?" is not a question, it's a statement.

Yup, that bugs me, too.

Jul 27, '13

I always carry a backpack to work with an extra change of clothes. I like medicine, but I dont always like to talk about it. I need a break now and then. I like to keep work at work. I know this isn't always possible.

Jul 28, '13

I wonder why they would change the name of an article, it's not like you were asking a question and they thought changing it would get better responses... I like the original title as well!

I'm sure the OP would have been happy to talk to him had he approached her. I see nothing wrong with what she did.

The whole point of the post is that she would NOT be happy to talk to random strangers who invade her privacy when she is off the clock. And, nearly everyone who has posted agrees with this perspective.

I think the demands of nursing and 'compassion fatigue' are why so many feel this way. Trust me, after shifts like mine last night, I do understand the feeling.

I don't mean to attack the OP personally. My point is that we need to rise above it and remember we are all called to compassion for our fellow human beings, whether they be strangers or not, whether we are tired from work or not- it's our duty.

My argument is against a very common attitude among healthcare professionals when off the clock.